LOOP: Pope prays for U.S.-North Korean summit

POPE’S PRAYER Pope Francis prayed for the leaders of the United States and North Korea ahead of Tuesday’s summit between the two countries in Singapore. “Let us together invoke Our Lady, Queen of Korea. May she guide these talks,” said Pope Francis, during his Sunday Angelus. READ

G7 SUMMIT President Trump remained steadfast in support for better trade deals at the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec. Trump congratulated the G7 leaders for getting the best of the U.S. on trade before claiming “those days are over.” READ

CONSCIENCE PROTECTION FOR HEALTH CARE House Speaker Paul Ryan honored Cathy DeCarlo, a nurse from Brooklyn, NY, who refused to participate in an abortion. After she threatened a lawsuit, the hospital changed their policies. Ryan said: “Cathy DeCarlo stood strong. She didn’t give in and she fought for religious rights that this country guarantees her.” Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced stronger religious liberty protections for health care workers. READ

NEXT TARGET, POLAND? After Ireland, billionaire atheist George Soros has his sights set on Poland’s pro-life culture. Stephen Herried spoke to Polish graduate student Marcin Rzegocki to find out if Poland’s pro-life movement has what it takes to defend the unborn at any cost! WATCH

MARIJUANA President Trump said he would likely support a congressional effort to end classification of marijuana as a federally-controlled substance. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has strongly opposed such a change in policy. READ

MIDEAST CHRISTIANS Vice President Mike Pence was incensed over reports of “bureaucratic gridlock keeping much-needed aid from helpless Christian communities” in Iraq. Pence told USAID he would not tolerate bureaucratic delays. Pence directed USAID administrator Mark Green to travel to Iraq in the coming weeks with an assessment on how to reduce delays in aid distribution. READ

HUNGARY FOR PRO-FAMILY POLICIES Divorces are down 22%. Marriages are up 42%. Abortions are down 30%. This all happened over the last 7 years because of Hungary’s pro-family policies. Hungary helps families through maternity support, paid childcare leave, family tax benefits and housing allowance, tax allowances that encourage young couples to marry, encourage young couples to marry, vacation benefits, no-charge holiday camps for children, subsidized textbooks, and decreased utility costs. READ

SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY A new genetic study reveals that 90% of the animals on Earth appeared at the same time. “The conclusion is very surprising and I fought against it as hard as I could,” said David Thaler, a geneticist at the University of Basel. The scientist believe that 9 out of 10 animals came to being at the same time as humans did, which they speculate as between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. READ

WHAT MOMS CAN’T DO “There are certain lessons that are crucial for a boy’s healthy development into a man destined to love a woman—to be a husband and father. Though his mother can provide some of them, there are others that will be provided by a man, or not at all,” writes Anthony Esolen, professor of classical literature at Thomas More College. READ

AUSTRALIA TARGETS THE CONFESSIONAL A new law in Australia would make it a crime for anyone to fail to report a sexual crime against a minor. The penalty applies to a priest during a confession. Archbishop Christopher Prowse of Canberra and Goulbourn said: “Priests are bound by a sacred vow to maintain the seal of confession. Without that vow, who would be willing to unburden themselves of their sins?” READ

FULTON SHEEN TO PEORIA The Superior Court of New York ruled that the body of the late Venerable Fulton Sheen should be moved to Peoria, Illinois. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Barnabas, designated by the Holy Spirit to share the charge and mission of the twelve Apostles, is venerated by the Church as one of them. He played an important part in the first extension of Christianity outside the Jewish world. READ

About Author

Joshua Mercer is a co-founder of CatholicVote.org, where he serves as Political Director. Mercer previously served as Washington Correspondent for the National Catholic Register and Chairman for Students for Life of America. He lives in Michigan with his wife and six children.